Senior Brooks Barber is the founder of Cirrus Weather, a popular Kansas weather source. The network has gained over 12,000 followers in its five years of service. Barbers passion for weather broadcasting has encouraged him to put countless hours into bettering his network. Cirrus Weather also has a Facebook page and Twitter page available to provide the public with current information.

1. When did you decide you wanted to be involved with weather forecasting?

“I’ve always had an interest in weather, for as long as I can remember. I was even a meteorologist for the kindergarten career program at Wilson Elementary School. As for when I decided to actually make something of it, I founded what is now known as Cirrus Weather in October of 2010 during my seventh grade year.”

2. What type of weather do you most like to report on?

“Living in Kansas probably provides the best opportunity to report on all different kinds of weather. Just this last week, in one day we had severe thunderstorms in the northeast with temperatures in the 80s, 60mph wind gusts statewide, a blizzard in the northwest, and a historic 400,000 acre wildfire burning in the south. Personally I prefer to report on winter weather and extreme severe weather, and I also do special reports on long-range weather, climate and drought, and events like the massive wildfire we had. I’m not so interested in the day-to-day general stuff.”

3. Do you plan to continue with this career path outside of high school?

“It always surprises people, but no – I do not plan to make a career for myself in weather, at least not currently. I do hope to keep Cirrus Weather going well into the future as a hobby and job on the side though.”

4. When did you found Cirrus Weather?

“I began building Cirrus Weather from the ground up on October 1, 2010. It started with just a free-version of a website and a few family and friends for followers. Now we have a professionally designed website, have a presence on all major social media platforms with over 12,000 network-wide followers, and have made a name for ourselves in the weather community.”

5. How much time/work did you put into founding Cirrus Weather?

“I have put a countless amount of time into Cirrus Weather. Since I enjoy doing it, I do not view it in this way personally, but if I take a step back and look at the broad picture I have sacrificed a lot to get this where it is today. But, those sacrifices have been well worth it considering all of the people we have informed when severe storms are moving through their area or even if they just want to see what the high is supposed to be where they live today.”

6. What do you plan to have as your major for college?

“In college I plan to major in marketing, or some other business-related field. Through my work with Cirrus Weather I have gained many skills that will help me be successful in this, including marketing, building a brand, public relations, social media marketing, web design, leadership skills, organizational skills, collaboration skills, and more.”

7. How many other “teammates” do you have involving Cirrus Weather?

“I certainly have not accomplished this all on my own. While I did start this by myself and built it up on my own for two years, starting in 2012 I began welcoming other ‘weather enthusiasts’ on to my team who were willing to volunteer for the cause. The most volunteers I have had at one time was almost 30, but we have changed our platform and how we do things and now there are just three of us – and only two full-time, myself and my good friend Peyton Sanders, a senior at Maize South High School who joined me in 2012.”

8. Is Cirrus an official association? If not, do you intend to make it become one eventually?

“Cirrus Weather is not an official organization. We are not registered as an official business, nor do we make any money off of what we do. Everything is paid for out of pocket as well. We have considered getting sponsors to have ads on our website, but we have not yet crossed that bridge. It will be considered while I’m in college.”

9. Are you involved with any other broadcasting networks?

“We do actually have other partnered websites and affiliates scattered throughout Kansas and the country. From storm chasing teams in Kansas to the Kiowa County Media Center in south central Kansas, to other websites similar to ours in Maryland, Georgia and more.”

10. Have you received any awards for Cirrus? If so, what are they?

“I would not say we have received any actual awards for Cirrus Weather. We were recognized by Governor Sam Brownback with a certificate to recognize “Outstanding Contributions to the State of Kansas” in 2014. We have also been featured in the media a number of times including on KWCH-12 and The Weather Channel.”

11. Is your family supportive of your decision to own and operate a weather channel?

“My family has always been very supportive of me in doing what I do. I believe that they are proud of what I have accomplished and the work ethic and motivation I have had to keep this going. It would have been so easy to just let this end in middle school when it wasn’t anything serious, but I kept it going and look where it is today.”

12. Outside of weather broadcasting, what are your passions?

“Outside of what I do at Cirrus Weather, some of my other passions are helping others and wanting to be involved in my community. I also enjoy traveling, and devoting as much time as I can to spending time with friends and family. I always work hard to bring the best results forward, and am always interested in making whatever I do the best it can be.”

13. What would you like to tell anyone who wants to get involved with this line of work?

“I know of a few other kids at Hays High who are interested in weather, and countless others outside of Hays High. If they already have a website of their own, just keep going and never give up! It takes a while to build up momentum but if you are creative and just keep pushing forward, you can do anything you set your mind to. Do your best in school, be involved, and continue your education into college.”